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THE STARS IN THE POOL 



'TRe 
STARS IN 

The pool 

A Prose Poem for Lovers 

By 

Edna Kingsley Wallace 

Auther o/"Fetlinss and Things,^'' 
" fVonderings and Other Things'^ 



New York 

E. P. DUTTON Gf COMPANY 

681 Fifth Avenue 



'^^'^'^^ 




Copyright 1920 

By E. P. BUTTON & CO. 

All Rights Reser<ved 



©CU604101 



Printed in the United States 
of America 



;\TJ 1 b iw^O 



or 



THE STARS IN THE POOL 




The Stars in the Pool 
I. 

llDMOST of a forest of The 
weaving lights and ^^^^^^ 
shadows, of dreaming 
winds, and fragrance wander- 
ing, there stood a great white 
castle, fair, and gleaming in 
the sun. Massive it was, yet 
high as well, so that it caught 
all colours of the dawn and 
sunset, like unto some peak of 
snow, remote from men. 

Within the castle dwelt the 
good King Telwyn, lord of all 
that forest realm, wherein at 

[1] 



whiles were clearings, with 
Good orchards and vineyards, and 
King fields of all manner of grain 
good for man and beast. And 
with the King was Ellaline, the 
Queen, beloved and beautiful, 
and mother of Roseheart, whom 
Telwyn her father, old and 
wise, knew for the tenderest 
thought of God in woman form. 

Fair as the dawn was Rose- 
heart, and about her a fresh- 
ness like that of babes. There 
was in her hair the ruddiness 
of tried gold, spun into a web 
to catch the sun. Like the sky 
in the East at twilight were her 
eyes, and the dark brows thereof 
as a flight of bird's wings. The 
mouth of her was crimson, and 

[2] 



fresh, and young, and curved 
so tenderly withal, that none The 
looking upon her might fail to ^^^^^y 
love her with the love that leaps Hoseheart 
into the heart for all young 
things of fair seeming and 
promise. 

Now upon a day came overseas 
to Telwyn's realm one like a 
young god invincible, Flame, 
son of Lokus, lord of a far 
island,wherein were fiery moun- 
tains having their roots in the sea. 
Itwas a landof wondrous beauty, 
but they that dwelt therein, 
rich though they were, for that 
the land was exceeding fer- 
tile, yielding in fullest measure 
the fruits of the earth, yet 
dwelt ever in danger betwixt 

[3] . . 



the mountains and the sea. 

The For there had been times when 

Isle of living fire had rolled down the 
Lokus 

mountains, and the earth had 

been shaken mightily, and the 

sea, in a huge wall of emerald, 

had fallen upon the land and 

overwhelmed it. And Lokus, 

giving thought to these things, 

had deep desire that the son of 

his heart should escape these 

dangers, and live out his years 

in peace and happiness. And 

for that the youth was ever of 

the mind to fashion of the clay 

of the earth whatsoever things 

he saw, and might in nowise 

be withheld from the cunning 

of his hands, it came into the 

mind of Lokus that it were 

poor kindness to the child of 

[4] 



his love to constrain him to 
courts and statecraft. For Lokus 

Lokus remembered his own Remember- 

1 11 11 c etn his 

youth, and the struggle thereof, y^^/^ 

when that his father had de- 
nied him the Hfe of his own 
gift, which, darkHng long, now 
sought in the son of his body 
and spirit its life to the glory 
of God. 

Wherefore Lokus had called 
his son to him, and had bidden 
him to go straitly to the 
friend of his own youth, the 
wise King Telwyn, who would 
teach him somewhat of life 
and living in the great world. 
But more than for the ways 
and wit of men did Flame have 
thought for all things beautiful 

[5] 



in form. Right well he loved 
The to liven clay to semblance of 
G/7/^ yQ^j^g niaids and children, 
Flame mothers, and old men wise with 
living. Ever into their faces 
he put somewhat no other man 
might see in them. At whiles, 
shapes of beauty like to nought 
that he had seen swam before 
his vision, but swiftly they 
faded, and he rubbed his eyes, 
and looked as he were silly. 
Wherefore men called him 
Dreamer. Yet with all this had 
he little thought for what the 
Lord God had meant in the 
making of the world, being 
well content in this .^:s you'"h 
that by the instinct of his fing- 
ers, and no thought withal, he 
could please the good folk with 

[6] 



happy likeness of themselves. 

Tall and straight was Flame, Flame 

with hair like fire seen through ^^f ^^^ 
I y . I 1 • 1*1 • k^alt o€ci 

smoke, and with skm like ripe 

olives in the light of the going 
sun. Firm his mouth, and his 
brow both high and wide. In 
his eyes were all the changing 
lights and colours of the sea. 
And it was as if the salt sea 
were in his blood, so that when 
he flamed in the wont of youth 
and joy, it seemed like drift- 
wood burning, leaping, flower- 
ing, in all the colours known 
of men. 

And Flame, son of Lokus, 
looking upon the Princess 
Roseheart, drew one great 
breath, and loved her with the 

[7] 



love of a man's heart. And 

The Roseheart, when she looked 

Birth jj^|-Q ^^ gygg q{ Flame, and 

j^Q^^ his heart therein, knew him 
for her lord, and loved him 
wholly. 

Wherewith, Telwyn the King, 
her father, seeing these things, 
pondered the youth, and when 
he had questioned him straitly, 
was in nowise loath that the 
thing should be. For Telwyn 
was a wise man and discern- 
ing, and found Flame a goodly 
youth, and nought against him 
for an husband to the Princess, 
his daughter. Then was their 
troth plighted, yet were they 
over young to wed, and Telwyn 
the King spake plain words to 

[8] 



Flame, that it were well he 
should prove himself in some Their 
wise ere he should claim for p/?^^. i 
bride the Princess Roseheart. 



[9] 




II. 



low some way from the 
castle, deep in the forest, 
|was set a Pool, so deep 
and still that in its depths was 
imaged all that bent above its 
brim— the fluttering leaves, and 
long-stemmed flowers, the flash- 
ing flight of birds, and white- 
winged argosies of cloud. And 
so shadowed it was, and so 
deep beyond depth, that he who 
looked as far as he might could 
see the stars of heaven mir- 
rored therein. 

[10] 



Daylong did Flame feed the 
hunger of his eyes on the beauty The 
of his beloved, as clad in kirtle ^^^^^ 
of forest-green, girt with gold, j^^^^ 
she knelt at the edge of the 
Pool, or laughing, chased the 
butterflies, to woo them to her 
lips and hair. At whiles deep 
quiet came upon them as they 
bent above the Pool, seeing 
nought of all it held save only 
the two faces of love that 
looked therein. 

Upon a day at the hour of 
golden noon, when all the land 
swam in a haze of beauty, a 
flickering brightness came and 
passed, when Earthlove, sprite 
invlisible, touched with his 
lips these twain, and with a lilt 

[11] 



of laughter rode away athwart 

Earthlove a sunbeam. Thereafter did 

Sprite Flame kiss Roseheart long, up- 
Invtstble i i j it 

on the mouth, and trembling, 

gazed into her eyes that were 

like still pools, wherein was 

nought save his own image, 

more beautiful than life. And 

Flame's heart swelled within 

him, lordly-wise, for that he 

dwelt so in the eyes and the 

heart of his beloved. And in 

the eyes of Flame was nought 

save Roseheart imaged, but 

swaying as it were on a surging 

wave wherethrough ran all the 

changing lights and colours of 

the sea. 

But when it was some while 
since these things had befallen, 

[12] 



the dusk was come, all sud- 
denly, and there passed The Old 
strangely over the Pool a shiver- ^^^^ 
ing, and from it rose a mist that 
hid it. The heart of Flame was 
troubled, and Hfting his eyes to 
see what was toward, he saw 
before him momently a figure 
of sorrow, Wur, the Old Gray 
Woman of Shadows, whose eyes 
were as misty pools at twilight, 
her hair as cobwebs matted, 
and her garments as the wings 
of the dusk. Yet upon her, nath- 
less, was a wistful beauty as of 
moonlight, wherein were all 
things wondrous. 

''Behold!'' said Flame in won- 
der to the maid Roseheart, but 
she was in fear of somewhat 

[13] 



that was as a thing known and 
Of not known, and would not look, 
Sorrow ^^^ turned her face to his 
breast. And Flame spoke unto 
the Old Gray Woman of Shad- 
ows, saying, ''Gray One, I pray 
thee, what wouldst thou?" 

She answered, and her voice 
was as the winds of autumn, 
through bare branches: "I am 
Sorrow, and the Way of Des- 
tiny, and the Shadow of Things 
to be. The flower fadeth, and 
the flesh falleth away as a gar- 
ment, but the seed and the soul 
shall not perish, except the seed 
fall on barren ground, and the 
soul feed upon the body alone. 
Ponder ye these things in your 
hearts." And in a breath she 

[14] 



was gone, leaving upon them a 

chill as of the winter death. The Way 

of 

Wherefore was Flame of griev- ^ ^ 
ous mind for that he did not 
understand these things. And 
Roseheart clung to him weep- 
ing, the while he gave her such 
sweet comfort as he might. 
Long he looked upon her in 
wonder, at the spun gold of 
her hair, the white shining 
about her brows, her deep, 
still eyes wherein was nought 
but his image, her mouth fash- 
ioned to joy and love, and her 
slender body, curving to the 
grace of womanhood. And 
once again Earthlove, sprite 
invisible, touched him, and 
stung him, and his heart surged 

[15] 



with love of the maid, and 
Earthlove his man's desire grew great 
Once vvithin him. 



More 



She stirred, and looked into his 
eyes, and shrank away, for 
therein was that which affright- 
ed the peace of her soul. Look- 
ing, she saw not only her fair 
face, but her whole white body, 
drifting in the sea-surge of his 
eyes, wherein were all the 
changing lights and colours of 
the sea. 

And the soul of Roseheart was 
faint with the far music of the 
s e -surge that was the soul of 
Flame. Yet being but a young 
maid, she was in fear also, say- 
ing, 'Tlamel Thou dishonour- 

[16] 



est me!" and freed herself, and 

sped away fleetly. Sea-Surge 

and 
And upon the youth was shame, Fire- 

but a new strength therewith, ^^<^^^^ 
so that he refrained him from 
following her, and cast himself 
upon the ground and wept, for 
that he had affrighted the inno- 
cence of Roseheart whom his 
soul loved. And a great cry 
for succor grew in him, and he 
prayed full heartily to the Lord 
God that He would show him 
His will. 

Thereafter, feeling a presence, 
he looked up, and his eyes were 
blinded with a great light, and 
he covered his eyes, and bowed 
his head. Before him, in gar- 
ments more shining than the 

[17] 



noonday sun, stood Senta, the 

Senta Radiant One. She spake, and 

the j^gj. voice had the beauty of the 

Radiant . i i j 

Qy^g sea in storm, when sudden sun- 
light, flaming from the West, 
gives rainbow colours to the 
flying foam: ^'Hearken, Flame, 
to the voice of Vision, which 
the Lord God put into thy soul 
when thou wast born. From 
this day forth shalt thou rest 
not, but follow thy dream 
through all the earth and across 
the seas. At the last shalt thou 
find that thou seekest, for so is 
it written, but thou shalt not 
know the manner of thy find- 
ing, nor may I tell thee. Sleep." 

And upon Flame came sleep as 
the sleep of the sea at sunrise, 

[18] 



midmost of the summer, when- 
as the glory of the sky is a The 
great magic in the sea, swing- ^^^^^^ 
ing as a censer to and fro, that 
the Lord God may be honoured 
of the wonders He hath made. 
Now the dream of Flame was 
a dream of womanhood — of 
women beautiful as dawn or 
flowers, of women whose fair 
seeming covered evil, women 
good and women false, maids 
and mothers and harlots, drift- 
ing, thronging, clamouring, 
praying, fawning, passing — 
until at last came one clad in 
shining garments, fashioned 
full seemly, of white silk that 
flowed and clung, revealing 
gracious lines of her form who 
walked stately-wise, with little 

]19] 



children about her knees. And 

The Flame saw that her form was 

Woman radiance, and her eyes were 

Radiance Stars, but he might not discern 

the fashion of her face for the 

light thereof. And he was sore 

troubled that the seeming of her 

face was withholden from him, 

for he knew in his soul that he 

had somewhat to do with her. 

Came once more the voice of 
Senta the Radiant One: **Flame, 
Maker of Images, attend my 
words. This woman shalt thou 
seek throughout the world, for- 
asmuch as she is the dream of 
dreams in thy soul. In the full- 
ness of thy manhood shalt thou 
fashion her in pure marble, and 
she shall be called Mother of 

[20] 



Men. As for thee, thou shalt 

be called the Giver of Dreams. Mother 

Awake.'' . ^^ 

Men 

And Senta the Radiant One, 
passing, gathered to her breast 
with one swift motion the sprite 
Earthlove, that had revealed to 
her Flame and Roseheart in 
their need to be taught the wis- 
dom of life which they knew 
not. 



[21] 



III. 



Senta 

Taketh 

Ear Move 




ND when that Senta 
had taken Earthlove 
unto herself, and had 
passed, the evening was come, 
and there were stars a-many in 
the depths of Pool. Therewith, 
looking upon them, a great 
peace came upon Flame, and 
being weary, he laid himself 
down that he might sleep and 
be refreshed. And as he sl^pt, 
he dreamed of that woman 
whose form was radiance, and 
whose eyes were stars. And 

[22] 



his fingers stirred, and sought 

to fashion out of the earth her Dreams 

form of beauty; but all crum- ^^^ , 
111 11- 1 11 Awakening 

bled under his touch, and he 

might not. 

When the morning was come, 
and upon all things lay new 
freshness as of the world's 
beginning, the youth Flame 
arose and stripped him, and 
plunged his body in the Pool 
that sleep might be shaken from 
him. Whereafter he got him 
to the castle, and when that he 
had stayed his hunger with 
bread and new milk, asked that 
he might have speech with his 
troth-plight, the Princess Rose- 
heart. Then a serving-man led 
him through many halls to a 

[23] 



great room wherein with their 
The women sat Roseheart and the 

§jieen Queen her mother. 
and her 
Women 

And there, in seemly raiment 

of soft colours, crimson, and 
the brown of old wood, and 
fresh green, the women sat 
before their looms, and their 
frames wherein rich broidery 
grew under their white fingers. 
And over all was sunlight, a 
flickering whereof was made by 
blown vines without the case- 
ments, which were open to the 
morn. There was the whisper 
of silk, and much babble of 
talk, after the fashion of women 
working. Shuttles flew in the 
looms, and white arms won- 
drous fair in motion drew forth 

[24] 



long silken threads, being 

wrought into fine stuffs, to the Beauty 

end that beauty might be added ^^^^^ 

. unto 

unto beauty. Beauty 

Queen Ellaline sat very still in 
the midst of these her women. 
Of delicate fashion she was, 
and gentle. Her eyes were 
widely set, and blue, and 
mother-sweet, and her hair was 
silvering with the caress of the 
years. And she was sad in the 
midst of sunshine, forasmuch 
as she was troubled at the mien 
of the maid, her daughter, who 
sat with drooping head and 
still hands. And in good sooth, 
the heart of the Princess was 
heavy within her, and no little 
in fear. Nightlong had she 

[25] 



seen the vision of Flame, in 

Roseheart whose eyes Hke the sea lay her 

^ ,/*^- white body floating. Never 
Iroubled , <. . i i i i i i 

beiore since he had loved her 

had she seen aught but her 

soul's self therein, and she was 

troubled. 

And now Flame, son of Lokus, 
lord of that far isle of sea-surge 
and fire-bloom, entered in 
courtly wise this room of work 
and idleness, of gayety and gos- 
sip, and of love perplexed. In 
reverent greeting did he kiss 
the hand of Queen EllaHne; 
then turning him to the Prin- 
cess Roseheart, he took both 
of her white hands in his, seek- 
ing to look into her eyes. And 
soon, for her love of him she 

[26] 



might not refrain, and bravely 

gave them to his seeing. And Roseheart 

for that 'she v^as shamefast, in ^i, ,, . 
1 c -11111 iToubled 

the way or a maid, she looked 

as one that saw not. But in 
the eyes of Roseheart, he who 
loved her saw as he was wont 
only the image and seeming of 
himself. And he was sorrow- 
ful therewith, forasmuch as he 
had thought mayhap to find 
in the eyes of his love the twin 
stars of the woman of his dream. 
But the thing was not. And 
remembering the Radiant One, 
and the things that she had 
said, he knew that, will-he, 
nill-he, he must fare forth in 
quest of that woman whose 
form was radiance, and whose 
eyes were stars — her from 

[27] 



Men 



whom he should fashion his 

Mother Mother of Men. 

of 

Then spake Ellaline, the Queen, 
with quiet voice, saying, ** What 
wouldst thou. Flame, son of 
Lokus? My daughter Rose- 
heart hath seeming of some 
ill-hap with which thou hast 
to do." 

Therewith did Flame drop the 
hands of Roseheart his love, and 
standing before the Queen her 
mother, he spake on this wise: 
'*I know not what this thing 
may be, but somewhat hath 
been laid upon my will, so that 
choice it hath none. Where- 
fore, though thy daughter 
Roseheart is as the blood of 

[28] 



my heart to me, and fain would 
I take her to wife straightway, Flame 
yet first must I go across the ^P^^^^^h 
sea, and through all the earth, 
until I find a certain woman 
whose form is radiance and 
whose eyes are stars, that I may 
fashion of her in pure marble 
a Mother of Men that shall ful- 
fill the dream of my soul. Not 
of my willing is this thing laid 
upon me. But the Lord God 
when I was born put into my 
soul the vision, and into my 
hands the cunning to fashion 
the shape of my vision. There- 
fore must I go, and abide the 
will of the Lord God lest He 
He destroy me. Whether I shall 
return I know not, for many 
will be the perils of the way, 

[29] 



but in my heart meseems I 

The know that I shall return and 

P^^^ take to wife the maid Rose- 

Roseheart heart, whom in all honour I 

love and cherish." 

Hearing these words at the 
last, Roseheart found some- 
what of courage beyond that 
she had had, and looked into 
the eyes of Flame. Therein was 
no longer her own white body, 
as she had feared to see, but 
the noble form of a woman 
whose white silken draperies 
flowed and clung, whose form 
was radiance, and whose eyes 
were stars. With her were little 
children. And Roseheart, gaz- 
ing, beheld the form of radi- 
ance, and the faces of the 

[30] 



children, as somewhat known, 
and not known, and in her A White 
heart was a white stillness, and ^^^^^^^^^ 
no anger that Flame would 
leave her to seek this woman, 
but only the pain of long- 
ing, and a meekness like 
that of Mary, the Blessed 
Mother. 

Flame, pitiful of the still sorrow 
of Roseheart, clasped her to 
his breast, and kissed her thrice 
upon the forehead. But the 
Lure of the Way of Life was 
upon him, and turning strongly 
from the maid and the Queen, 
her mother, he said: **Good 
greeting must I give you, from 
the heart, and long farewell, 
for that I must be about the 

[31] 



business the Lord God hath 
Flamcy set me. But ere I go, I would 
///> see Telwyn, and speak with 
him of that I have to do." 



[32] 




IV. 



LL silently they three Flames 
together sought Tel- fj^.^.n 

wyn, the King, but 

now returned from the hunt, 
and sitting at meat with his 
men in the great banquet hall 
of the castle. 

A mighty man of sorts was 
Telwyn. Fierce in war, yet 
had he also a great love of 
peace, of beauty, of mirth and 
joy, and of his food and wine. 
Also had he great discernment 
for the true things in the hearts 

[33] 



of men. Wherefore, seeing 
King sorrow and heaviness in the 
Telwyn f^^es of the three whom he 
loved, who would have speech 
with him, he bade his men-at- 
arms and serving-men depart. 

When that he had listened all 
quietly to the words of Flame, 
there first came anger into his 
heart, and a mist upon his sight, 
for that Roseheart, his daugh- 
ter, who was as the remem- 
bered joy of his youth, should 
be in woe for the going from 
her of Flame, Son of Lokus, 
to follow the gleam of stars 
in the eyes of the woman of 
his dream. Yet was Telwyn 
proud, and would constrain 
no man to take unreadily his 

[34] 



daughter Roseheart; and just, 

for that he remembered what The 

he had said to the youth, that ^^^<^, 

111 1 11 Fondereth 

It were well he should prove 

himself somewhat ere he 
should take the maid in mar- 
riage. Therefore with a mighty 
intake of the breath, and clos- 
ing the Hds of his eyes, where- 
in were lightnings. King Tel- 
wyn spake on this wise, his voice 
as the voice of far thunders: 
*Tlame, son of Lokus, thou 
grievest the heart of Telwyn, 
father of Roseheart, for that 
thou puttest the maid in sorrow 
for thy going. Yet am I a man, 
and know the heart of a man 
in youth. Fain would I give 
thee of the wisdom I have 
learned, but that may not be. 

[35] 



Telwyn 
Admonish- 
eth 
Flame 



In pain and struggle shalt thou 
come to thine own wisdom, 
which is for thee alone, so that 
no man may give it thee, but 
thou must win it. Yet since 
thou hast won a maid to her 
promise, it were meet that thou 
shouldst go thy ways carefully, 
bravely, and in good faith, that 
thou mayest return in honour. 



I charge thee, see thou to these 
things lest the vengeance of 
Telwyn find thee out, though 
thou wert in the uttermost parts 
of the earth. Lend not thy 
soul to wine to make a mock of, 
nor to false women that they 
may break it. Bear thou thy- 
self with modesty; give of thy 
strength and wit to whomso- 

[36] 



ever hath need of them. Cheat 

no man of his due in any wise, Telwyn 

remembering that so thou ^^^omsh- 

wouldst cheat thyself of thy piame 

birthright, which is to be one 

with truth and right in so far as 

thou canst attain thereunto. 

Thou art the son of Lokus, 

and art bound to carry his name 

and blood in honour. I have 

spoken. Farewell." 



[37] 




V. 



low was Ellaline, the 
Ellahne Jf^jQW Queen, fair distraught, 
^ ^ li^>3^ for that she understood 
not her own mind in the mat- 
ter. And her heart was as water 
with pity of the maid, and as a 
sting her tongue, whenas she 
thought of the going of Flame, 
for that to her seeing he had 
put an affront upon their house. 
Yet might she not speak in 
wrath, when Telwyn her hus- 
band had spoken in quietness. 
And there came upon her a 

[38] 



trembling lest she speak, and 
Telwyn's displeasure come Ellaline 

upon her. Beholdeth 

fVur 

Wherefore, turning to flee 
away, lest speaking she do 
wrong, Ellaline the Queen saw 
some way off in the hall a figure 
of sorrow, Wur, the Old Gray 
Woman of Shadows. And 
being in eld, well she wot that 
in the coming of Wur was sign 
that the Lord God was minded 
to send upon their house sor- 
row and the winds of destiny, 
and that not for her love and 
grief might these things be 
stayed in anywise. Wherewith 
she kissed the maid her daugh- 
ter tenderly, as in farewell, and 
fled away straitly, weeping. 
[39] 



And Roseheart was white and 

The still. 
Strength 
of Flame When Flame turned him to the 

Princess Roseheart, fain would 
she have had him kiss her upon 
the mouth, but he would not, 
seeking her brow instead, in all 
tenderness. And piteous was 
the face of the maid, that Flame 
whom she loved denied her. 
But the eyes of Telwyn mark- 
ing the thing, it seemed good 
to him that Flame turned him 
from the lips of his love. Well 
did the King know the hearts 
of men, and right heartily did 
he hold in scorn those who had 
not the wit to fear such things 
as betray men unto weakness. 

Thereafter did Flame get him 
[40] 



thence right speedily, to take 

ship^for far countries. The Going 

of 



The maid Roseheart covered 
her eyes that she might not see 
the going of her beloved. And 
she wept full sore, and when 
Telwyn the King would have 
comforted her, Wur, the Old 
Gray Woman of Shadows, came 
unto her pitifully, and took her 
from the arms of her father, and 
folded her mantle about her, 
and led her away all gently. 
And yielding his little maid 
unto Wur, whom well he wot 
of old, the King was shaken in 
grief, that the thing must be 
and nought might stay it. 



[41] 



Flame 



VI. 

Roseheart ^^S^AYLONG and night- 
and E||f^l|l long the maid clung 
B^^^gyi to Wur and to none 
other, and the Old Gray Woman 
of Shadows, whose voice was 
like unto the winds of Autumn, 
made sad music of the days and 
ways of men. Ever she spake, 
telling tales of sorrow, where- 
unto Roseheart listened, saying 
in her heart, **There is no sor- 
row like to mine, who am a 
widow before I am wed." 

Yet there was, withal, in the 

[42] 



tales of Wur, a gray beauty that 
melted the heart of the maid, Roseheart 
even in despite of her own ^?'^^{ 
griei, to a vague and terrible 
longing to learn what lay at 
the heart of life. Nightlong 
did Wur watch over her, and 
the maid dreamed in sorrow, 
to wake weeping. 

So for a space was grief bitter 
in the maid, and grievous 
was the hurt of all things, for 
that Flame whom she loved 
had gone his ways from her. 
Then on a day, for pity of the 
grief wherewith she suffered, a 
longing grew in her to look 
upon the face of her sadness in 
the Pool in the forest. Thither 
she went, therefore, with Wur, 

[43] 



the Old Gray Woman of 
The Face Shadows, and leaned over the 
^ ?f. Pool in the wont of her old 
fashion. And as with sore pity 
of herself she looked into the 
Pool, upon the face of grief 
that was hers, she saw that in 
her eyes, which aforetime had 
held nought save the face of 
Flame, was an image that blot- 
ted out all else. Semblance it 
had of an image of Wur, the 
Old Gray Woman of Shadows, 
whose hair was as cobwebs 
matted, whose eyes were as 
misty pools at twilight, and 
whose garments were as the 
wings of the dusk. Yet as the 
maid looked more nearly, she 
saw that the form had only the 
seeming of Wur, and was in 

[44] 



good sooth that of Roseheart 
herself, stricken in grief to the The Face 
Hkeness of Wur. ^ 



Grief 



Arising in wonder she turned 
her to look upon Wur, and in 
the face of the Old Gray Woman 
of Shadows she saw strangely 
the semblance of herself, Rose- 
heart. And at the horror and 
mystery of this thing which she 
might not understand, the maid 
shrieked w|ith terror. And 
when the Old Gray Woman 
would have folded her in her 
arms to quiet her, the maid 
would not, and shrank away, 
and prayed for help to the Lord 
God that she might have 
comfort. 

[45] 



And there came a radiance, 
There growing ever brighter, until 

£du!me ^"^' ^^^ ^'^ ^^^^ Woman of 
Shadows, might not stay, but 

fled away before that which was 
more shining than the noon- 
day sun. And Roseheart was 
ware of a presence she might 
not see for the brightness. 

Then spake Senta, the Radiant 
One, the Voice of Vision, unto 
the maid Roseheart, full gently, 
yet in the manner of one who 
may not be gainsaid: ** Rose- 
heart, beloved of Flame, who 
shall be called Giver of Dreams, 
Hft up thy heart. Well hast 
thou learned the lore of sorrow 
that Wur hath taught thee, and 
these things it is needful that 

[46] 



thou shouldst know. But too 

much hast thou made thyself The Coming 

one with sorrow, to the end ^/ 

that It hath grown dear to thee. 

This thing may not be. Pity 

that seeketh not itself makes 

pure the heart of man, but pity 

of thyself for thine own woe is 

another matter, whereto thou 

must look else will thy sorrow 

destroy thee. Thou shalt arise, 

therefore, and go unto thy 

father Telwyn the King, and 

thy mother, the Queen EUaline- 

Sore have been their hearts that 

thou wert in grief. It should 

be thy task rather, to bring 

them joy who are stricken in 

years. 



n 



But since joy is not made of 

[47] 



nought, and since there is now 
Vision in thee sorrow alone, I say unto 
^w^ thee, go thy ways among the 
people of thy father the King, 
and of thy grief make garments 
of joy to cover the nakedness 
of the poor withal. Take to 
them that are sick the flowers 
of thy kindness, that shall be 
as the snowdrops blossoming 
under the mantle of the winter 
of thy grief. Look into the 
eyes of the old and find patience, 
and into the hearts of the chil- 
dren and find hope. Tend 
thou the bed of pain, and ease 
the woe of the sons of men in 
such measure as thou mayest. 
Therewith shall all things befall 
thee as the Lord God desireth. 
Unto me, Senta, it is vouch- 

[48] 



safed to give thee vision, and a 
dream, even as I gave these Vision 
things unto Flame, thy be- ^^ 
loved. Sleep." ^"'^"^ 

And Roseheart laid her down 
in the deep sleep as of a rose- 
bud in the sun at mid-day, 
when life in a great tide flows 
and greatens, to the end that 
the rose may be full-blown. 
And the dream of Roseheart 
was on this wise: There was a 
woman in shining garments, 
fashioned full seemly of white 
silk that flowed and clung, re- 
vealing gracious lines of her 
form who walked stately-wise, 
with little children about her 
knees. Her form was radiance, 
and her eyes were stars. And 

[49] 



in the fashion of her seeming, 
The and in the faces of the chil- 
Starry-eyed (Jren, was somewhat as it were 
a thing known and not known. 
Then beheld Roseheart the 
seeming of Flame, her beloved, 
looking in joy and reverence 
upon this woman whose form 
was radiance, and whose eyes 
were stars. 

And Senta the Radiant One 
said unto Roseheart: "Behold 
and see if this be not she whom 
thou didst look upon at the 
last in the eyes of Flame whom 
thou lovest." And it was so, 
and Roseheart marveled. 

Whereafter Senta bade her 
awake, and she awoke and pon- 

[50] 



dered these things what they 
might mean. And in the heart The Heart 
of the maid there grew and ^iJ^^, 
strengthened the desire and the 
will to be as that woman of her 
dream, whose beauty was as 
music under the moon, and in 
all reverence beloved of her 
troth-plight. Flame. Thus are 
women ever, in their deep need 
to be in all ways that they may, 
the desired of their lord. 



[51] 



VII. 



Roseheart 

Gives 

Greeting 




HEN all things had 
bfecome c lear to 
Roseheart she arose 
swiftly, and went unto Telwyn 
the King, and the Queen her 
mother. And upon her face was 
a shining which was the shining 
of her soul. And she said unto 
them, **I give you greeting, my 
father and my mother." 

And looking upon her they 
were glad exceedingly, and ex- 
changed looks the one with 
the other, for that the face of 

[52] 



Roseheart was no longer gray 

with grief. The Going 

of 

First answered Ellaline, saying, ^^^ 

''Greeting to thee, my daughter. 

Where now is Wur, that thou 

hast the look of happiness?'' 

Sudden wonder made wide the 
eyes of Roseheart. "In good 
sooth I know not,'' she an- 
swered. *'I have not seen her 
at all any more since the com- 
ing of the Shining One." 

Telwyn the King leaned him 
forward in eagerness, asking, 
"The Shining One? What 
meanest thou?" 

Into the face of Roseheart came 
the far, wondering look of chil- 

[53] 



dren, but in her heart was a 
Rosehearty song. "I know not," she made 
^^^, answer, ** unless it was an angel 
of the Lord God, to shew me the 
things that I must do, and that 
which I must become." Here- 
with the voice of the maid grew 
wondrous sweet. "Of my gar- 
ment of sorrow must I make 
raiment of joy to cover the 
nakedness of the poor. To the 
sick must I take the flowers of 
kindness that are now as snow- 
drops blossoming under the 
mantle of the winter of grief. 
I am to look into the eyes of 
the old and find patience, s^'^d 
into the hearts of children and 
find hope. And I am to tend 
the bed of pain, and ease the 
suffering of the sons of men in 

[54] 



such measure as I may, that all 
things may befall me as the Telwyn 
Lord God desireth.'' Peneiveth 

Into the face of Telwyn there 
came a tenderness like that of 
women, and in his voice were 
the tears a man may not suffer 
in his eyes. ''Great is the joy 
in my heart,'' he said, ''for that 
thou art indeed become a 
woman. And well I wot that 
the Lord God is with thee, that 
thou knowest these things of 
wisdom.'' 

And Ellaline, looking into the 
face of her daughter, drew her 
to her heart, and spake on this 
wise: "Deep grief has it been to 
me that in thy pain I might not 
[55] . ^ 



help thee, but must leave thee to 

The the care of Wur, that woman of 

^ueen sorrow. Nathless have I prayed 
Cipeaketn r ^ ^ • i . 

tor thee without ceasing. 

Blessed be the name of the 

Lord God that] He hath found 

the Way for thee." 

Now on the morrow when Tel- 
wyn the King went among his 
people, to see that all was well, 
and nought amiss that might 
be set right, he put Roseheart 
his daughter upon a white pal- 
frey; and himself upon a mighty 
red horse, led her whithersoever 
he went, that she might see all 
things in the wisdom and tend- 
erness newly come to her. And 
from his deep eyes like the cav- 
erns of the sky, he watched her, 
[56] 



as pity grew in her, and knowl- 
edge, and quick device of sue- Telwyn 

cor. Daylong they rode, at the ^"^ , 

. 1 I . , . J Roseheart 

noontide having bite and sup 

with a woodcutter and his wife, 

newly blessed with a fine man 

child. And Roseheart, taking 

the child in her arms, laughed 

and wept that he was so small 

and sweet, and for that he clung 

to her, and turned to her breast. 

And when the shadows grew 

long, and they set their faces 

toward the castle, the maid was 

sore weary, but she knew it 

not, for the pity in her, and the 

thought of all awry in the world 

that must be set right. 

And it befell that she dreamed 
that night of a babe that lay 

[57] 



upon her breast, and so sweet 

Roseheart it was, that she woke weeping 
Steadfast f^j. ^^j-y j^y^ 

Thereafter daily the maid went 
forth with the King her father, 
or at whiles with the Queen 
her mother, whenas she was 
wont to say unto Telwyn with 
sweet gravity, **This is a matter 
for women, of which thou 
knowest nought." 

And the King smiled in his 
beard at the woman-ways of her. 
But hours there were when that 
Roseheart was a-weary, and an- 
hungered for Flame, her troth- 
plight lord. Yet always, re- 
membering her dream, she 
arose from grief, and with the 

[58] 



trouble of others, and what she 

might do for them, filled the Her Need 

emptiness of her heart. And ^J^^ . 

, 111 Destre 

so great was her need and de- 
sire to become as the woman 
of the great dream, that slowly 
as a slender moon fills with sil- 
ver, or a rosebud greatens to 
fullness, did Roseheart the 
maid grow in fashion and seem- 
ing and good sooth toward the 
very truth of her desire, to be 
as that woman whose form was 
radiance and whose eyes were 
stars. 



[59] 



VIII. 

Thrice flS^^TlHRICE the snowdrops 
Bloomed ^^M came and went, thrice 
Rose Lv^^fejj^ bloomed the rose; 
thrice the harvest ripened to 
the scythe, and winter flushed 
to spring, and Flame, son of 
Lokus, was not yet come from 
overseas to claim his promise 
of his troth-plight maiden. 

Long had he wandered from 
land to land, seeking ever the 
shape of his dream. Ever he 
made forms of beauty with his 
hands, whatsoever he saw, and 

[60] 



men marveled thereat, so cun- 
ning-true they were, and skill- Flame 
ful. And everywhere was he Joumeyeth 
tempted with all manner of 
lures to flesh and spirit that he 
forsake his dream and take his 
ease and pleasure like other 
men, but he would not. And it 
befell that on a day when he 
was riding through the forest, 
he came upon a carle that beat 
a woman, his wife. And Flame 
was wroth with the carle, and 
fell upon him in fury, that so 
he should misuse the strength 
that God had given him. And 
the anger of Flame was as the 
strength of ten men, but when 
he had the throat of the man in 
his fingers, and would have 
slain him, all suddenly his 

[61] 



anger was not. And in good 

He pity of the fellow that he was 

Groweth y^^ jj^ youth, he loosed him, 

Strength ^^^ admonished him, and went 
his ways. And the strength of 
the man that he had spared to 
God's good life was added to 
his own strength. 

And with his good strength of 
the body was come strength of 
his soul also. Wherefore, when 
in his wanderings he came 
upon a fair land wherein was 
much kindness, and after a 
while that land, which had an 
aged king, was threatened by 
savage men from wild forest 
land beyond, he girded on his 
sword and led the people in 
war that they might put to con- 

[62] 



fusion the savage men who 
sought to slay them, and take He 
their fat lands, and the homes ^j^^^^J^ 
where they were born. And 
when their enemies were driven 
out, the old King embraced 
with tears him who had risked 
his life for them, and besought 
him, saying, ** Flame, son of 
Lokus, what wouldst thou? 
Whatsoever thou ask, that will 
I give thee/' And Flame, with 
a look of far horizons in his 
eyes that were like the sea, an- 
swered him on this wise: **God 
be gracious to thee for thy 
kindness, but it is I who am in 
thy debt, for that I have learned 
the sweetness of giving myself 
wholly, even unto death, if need 
be, that innocent folk should 



not suffer, nor evil prevail. I 
He am a selfish man, thinking 
Fareth Yixx\^ enough of other folk, as I 
go my way dreaming, and that 
now I have seen somewhat 
other than that is a mercy of 
the Lord God." 

And though the people clam- 
oured that he should stay with 
them, he went his way, and 
came into a new land, and 
dwelt there for a time. And 
being comely, with grace and 
courtliness in his mien, and the 
beauty of the sea in his eyes, 
when he looked eagerly into 
the faces of women, seeking 
his dream, many were sick with 
love of him. And they made 
devices that he should tarry 

[64] 



with them, some in innocence 
and good faith, as a maid may. Of 
and some fawning, and whis- ^^^ 
pering black words to the youth 
and heat of his blood. 

Of these last there came be- 
times a witch-woman, who dis- 
cerning with cunning the eyes 
of Flame that they were like 
the sea, made herself as a moon- 
woman, that he should follow 
her. And Flame, looking upon 
her, whose face was as silver, 
felt somewhat surge within him 
answering her desire. And the 
woman glided before him un- 
til they were come into the 
desert. 

And when the moon-woman 
moved not so swiftly, but lin- 

[65] 



gered, and Flame would have 
The touched her, she laughed, and 
^oon- vvould and would not, and 
reaching for her, he stumbled, 
and fell upon the ground, yet 
held her fast. And the night 
was black upon them. 

When the early morning was 
come. Flame turned him from 
the moon-woman exulting that 
now at last he had drunk of the 
cup, desire whereof had tor- 
mented him. But as he turned, 
some way off in brightness 
stood Senta the Radiant One. 
And she drew near, and spake 
not, but shed her light, without 
pity, upon the moon-woman. 
And Flame saw that she was 
not beautiful, but a hag, and 

[66] 



her face of silver the face of 
leprosy, white and horrible, and The 
as old as the world. And he ^^^^ ^f 
looked about him, and saw in ^^^^^y 
the desert the bones of men. 
Then did he cry out in fear, *'I 
am in the place of the dead!" 

And he rose up swiftly and fled 
away till he was come to the 
edge of the desert, and thence 
into a gentle land, of murmur- 
ing streams, and trees on the 
which was fruit of divers kinds, 
and good to the taste. And 
after that Flame had drunk of 
the waters, and eaten of the 
fruit, the Lord God was pitiful 
of his shame and weariness, 
and he slept. 

Sleeping, once more he dreamed 

[67] 



of that woman of radiance, 
Cometh starry-eyed. But whereas afore- 
^ ^^^ time he might not see the fash- 
ion of her face, it was now 
revealed to him in the seeming 
of his troth-plight maiden, glor- 
ified. Now was the rose full 
blown, the child become a 
woman, in strength, and ten- 
derness, and wisdom, and her 
beauty was as music under the 
moon. Then unto him in his 
dream spake the Voice of Vi- 
sion on this wise: *'Now that 
thou hast proved thyself in 
turning thee from the place of 
the dead, shalt thou have full- 
ness of life, withal. Thou hast 
looked upon death in battle, 
and feared not, for that thou 
sawest therein that life which 

[68] 



IS greater than thine own life; 

and thou hast looked upon that The Voice 

life which is sin, and hast seen ^. . 

therein the death of the spirit. 

Wherefore arise, and go 

straightway to claim the 

maiden Roseheart for thy wife, 

that the true life of body and 

spirit may be fulfilled unto 

thee. And whatsoever thou 

fashionest with thy hands, that 

shalt thou fashion also with thy 

heart and soul, in the light of 

the vision the Lord God hath 

given thee. Arise." 

With a great cry of joy he 
awoke, and strength was ful- 
filled to him as it had been a 
fountain, ever leaping and ever 
renewed. Wherewith straight- 

[69] 



way he arose, and girt up his 
Strength mantle for the journey, that 
Fulfilled s^ift might be the way of his 



[70] 




IX. 



NTO the days of three Flame 
moons he journeyed, Retutneth 
over land and sea, and 
at last he was come into the 
country of Telwyn, wherein 
were peace, and good harvest, 
and labour for all that would. 
And while he was yet some 
way off, upon a hill, he saw 
that the people were gathered 
together in a great meadow, 
and there rose to him on the 
wind a great song of joy that 
they were singing. 

[71] 



And drawing near he saw 
The People that some of the people were 
^^ playing at games in the meadow, 
quoits and bowls, and other 
games of skill of divers kinds, 
with trials of strength and 
daring for the eager blood of 
youth. And there were horses 
a-many , and on them men laugh- 
ing and jesting, and there were 
women and children, some hun- 
dreds, clad in fluttering gar- 
ments of all the colours of joy. 

In the midst of the throng 
there sat upon a dais a woman 
in shining raiment of cloth 
of silver, broidered with roses 
that had caught their colour 
from the rose tint of her face. 
And her hair of spun gold was 

[72] 



bound with a silver fillet, fash- 
ioned in all delicacy, and col- The Bay 
ored to the semblance of the ^ 
roses that were in the pattern 
thereof, with leaves cunningly 
wrought of green gold. Stand- 
ing beside her was a young 
page clad in crimson who car- 
ried a tray whereon were rib- 
bands of bright colours, the 
which the Princess Roseheart, 
for she it was in the shining rai- 
ment, did upon those who were 
victors in the games and con- 
tests. 

Great was the pride of the 
people that the Princess had 
come amongst them in their 
merrymaking. Long had she 
been with them in sorrow and 

[73] 



service, but not before this day 
The in the joy of the morning of 
Morning^ life, and they deemed it of good 
Life augury for her happiness. 

Now when Flame, yet some 
way off, saw that the woman in 
shining raiment was the be- 
loved of his soul, Roseheart, 
his heart leapt within him, and 
there was upon his limbs the 
speed of light. But betimes it 
came to him that travel was 
upon his garments, and that it 
were not fit he should dis- 
honour his troth-plight maiden 
by coming before her eyes in 
aught unworthy. Wherefore he 
turned him aside from the 
meadow, and made such haste 

[74] 



as he might toward the castle 
midmost of the forest. Cometh 



Flame 



When he was come thither, he 
found therein only a few old 
serving men and women, for 
that all others were making 
holiday in the meadow, the 
King, Telwyn, and the Queen 
Ellaline, as well as the humblest 
folk in the castle. 

And Flame got him right 
speedily to the great room that 
had been for his sleeping afore- 
time. There, as of old, was a 
great chest wherein were the 
garments he had brought with 
him from his home, the isle of 
sea-surge and fire-bloom. 
Therefrom he chose raiment of 

[75] 



rich silk wherein leapt and 

Sea-Surge flickered all colours as of drift- 

and wood burning — copper, and 

Fire-Bloom i i j j i 

blue, and green, and rose, and 

violet— with a broidered cloak 

of velvet Hke clear flame. And 

he did on a sword the hilt 

whereof was wrought in divers 

hues of pure gold. 

And when all was done, and 
in the wont of youth he looked 
upon his likeness in a mirror 
of silver that was there, he 
laughed in his heart for that he 
was young and comely, and for 
that he was now returned to 
the home of his heart. 

Then with all speed he betook 
him thence to the great mead- 

[76] 



ow. And when he was come 
thither, he saw that a little way The 
off at the edge of the forest was ^j}^^^ 
a silken tent that was like a 
purple iris, so beautiful it was, 
and that thereunder were King 
Telwyn and Queen Ellaline, 
looking upon the pleasure of 
their people. 

And Flame saw that whereas 
the Princess Roseheart had 
been in the midst of the crowd 
when first he had seen her, she 
was now with her father and 
mother, the King and Queen, 
under the canopy, that had 
been set in a mossy glade 
flecked with sunlight and 
shadow, and glad with delicate 
flowers. The maid stood at the 

[77] 



side of the Queen her mother 

Of talking shiningly of all that had 

^ueen befallen that morning. And 
hllaline i ^^ -r^n i- r • 

the Queen rLllalme, most tair 

indeed to look upon, in thin 

silk of silver-grey, wherethrough 

showed under-silks of blue and 

violet, smiled happily at the 

life and eagerness of the maid 

her daughter. 

And when the people saw that 
Flame, the son of Lokus, was 
come once more, from over- 
seas, to claim his troth-plight, 
the Princess Roseheart, they 
pressed upon him clamouring, 
glad with great joy that the 
youth was grown a man, in 
full stature of strength and 
bravery. And Flame returned 

[78] 



their greetings in all courtesy 
and kindness, but ever his eyes Of 
turned whither his heart drave, ^^^^^^^g^ 
toward the tent like an iris, 
whereunder, like one dreaming, 
stood the woman of his heart 
and his dream, now motionless, 
with her soul in her eyes. 

And when King Telwyn made 
sure that the figure of flicker- 
ing beauty that burned its way 
through the crowd of the people 
was Flame, son of Lokus, and 
none other, his heart was as a 
harp, swept with chords of joy 
and questioning, of fear, and a 
nameless pain that now may- 
hap he must give his little maid, 
that was as the remembered 
joy of his youth, to the clasp 

[79] 



of a man, in whom should be 

A Silver her life thenceforward. But 

Trumpet ^\^^ j^^art of Queen Ellaline was 

tngtng ^^ ^ silver trumpet singing, that 

the maid her daughter was now 

to Hve the life of a woman, 

giving her life to a man, that 

it should be greatened unto her, 

and to the world. 



[80] 




X. 



OW when Flame was j^^ 
come before the King Humility 
and Queen and the of Pride 
Princess Roseheart, he was 
filled with the humility of those 
who have great pride, insomuch 
that he fell upon his knees be- 
fore them to beg that which 
aforetime he had asked as in the 
ignorance of a child. But ere 
he could speak, King Telwyn 
put forth his hand and raised 
him, saying, *' Flame, son of 
Lokus, thou art a thousand 
times welcome. Hearty greet- 

[81] 



ing we give thee, in good faith 
The that thou hast returned in 

Return honour." 
In Honour 

Then spake Flame on this wise: 
** Greeting from the heart I give 
thee. Meseems my heart will 
burst with the fullness of my 
joy that I am come once more 
to the home of my love, to look 
upon her beauty, and to give 
into her keeping all that I have, 
and all that I am, for she is the 
soul of my soul.'' 

Then, bethinking himself that 
he must remember in courtesy 
to put before his own desires 
that which was due to others, 
he made obeisance to the 
Queen, Ellaline, who greeted 

[82] 



him with kindness, asking him 
whether he had had food and The 

drink since his journey. Eagerness 

of blame 

''Nay/' he said, '*how should 
that have been, when I was so 
much more an-hungered to see 
quickly the face of my be- 
loved?" And he turned him to 
his love, Roseheart, standing 
very still, with her soul in her 
eyes. 

With quick woman-wit then 
did Queen Ellaline motion the 
serving men that they should 
draw the curtains of the tent, 
themselves standing without. 
And the King and Queen with- 
drew also, that the lovers might 
be alone. Whereupon Rose- 
[83] 



heart, her silver cloak falling 
The from her, stood forth to Flame 
Woman ^g ^^iX, woman whose form was 
^f^y.^ radiance, and whose eyes were 
stars, she that was clad in shin- 
ing raiment, fashioned full 
seemly of white silk that flowed 
and clung, revealing gracious 
lines of her form, who walked 
stately-wise, with little children 
about her knees. 

And upon the sight of Flame 
was a mist, and when it had 
passed and he looked again, 
the little children were not as 
they were living, but like 
wraiths of divers colours, mak- 
ing as it were a rainbow in the 
midst whereof stood one still a 
maid. And Flame fell upon 

[84] 



his knees, and called upon her 

name. And she set her two Flame 

hands upon his head, and lift- ^^^^^^^^^. 
11,11 . upon His 

ing It gently, looked down into Xnees 

his soul. And when they had 

come to understanding on this 

wise, she gave her hands into 

his, and lifted him up. And 

he drew her to his heart, and 

kissed her on the mouth, 

whereat she was all a woman, 

and clung to him, saying with 

little broken cries, **It hath 

been so lonely without thee — I 

love thee sol" 

Remembering the pain and 
struggle of his quest. Flame 
cried out, "Wherefore did I go 
from thee?" Yet even as he 
spake, right well he knew how 
[85] 



it had been needful that all 

The things should have befallen 
Finding ^i^gj^ ^g ^}^gy i^^j ^^^^^ 

Then did the face of Rose- 
heart grow wistful-sweet, and 
she asked, **The woman of thy 
dream — didst thou find her?'' 
And Flame answered, "Aye, I 
have found her. Dost thou not 
know? Thou thyself art that 
radiant woman, starry-eyed. I 
know not what hath befallen 
thee, save that the starry 
heavens, that look upon all 
things, have made thine eyes 
their dwelling-place.'' 

Whereupon Roseheart, his be- 
loved, chided him on this wise, 
with a laughter that was of the 

[86] 



soul, and naught unkind in it: 
'*My happiness is so deep, I Beyond 
needs must laugh at thee. Me- ^^^^ 
seems the truth is that afore- 
time thou sawest only thyself 
in mine eyes, and that now thou 
hast leamed to look beyond 
thyself. And thus it hath been 
with me also. Once I saw not 
anything but myself in thine 
eyes, but now therein I see ships 
and far countries, and the forms 
of beauty that thou hast 
dreamed, and those which thou 
shalt create in the years to come. 
When first I saw in thine eyes 
that woman of thy dream, of 
whom thou hadst spoken, sor- 
row and humility were heavy 
upon me, for that I understood 
not why there should be aught 

[87] 



in thine eyes but thy love, Rose- 

The heart. But there came a time—'' 

Remem- gj^^ ^^g silent for a moment 

Vision ^^^^ she might hear the music 
of the remembered vision. 
**Have I grown like her — in 
good sooth?" she whispered. 

**Thou art she," answered 
Flame, ** the soul of my soul." 

"And what of thee?" whispered 
Roseheart. "What hast thou 
learned of life in thy far 
countries?" 

Whereupon he answered, as 
the Voice of Vision had told 
him, "I have looked updn 
death for right's sake, and seen 
therein the life greater than 
mine own life; and I have 

[88] 



looked upon the life which is 
sin and have seen therein the The 
death of the spirit. I have . -^^ 
much to tell thee, for that there spread 
must be nought but truth 
between us." 

Then did King Telwyn him- 
self draw the curtains of the 
tent and look within, smiling. 
*Tlame, son of Lokus, the 
feast is spread for thee, though 
well I wot thou knowest not if 
thou art hungry. But time and 
enough will there be for talk 
with thy speech-friend and 
troth-plight maiden, when thou 
hast eaten thy meat, and re- 
freshed thee from thy journey. 
Wherefore come now, the both 
of you, and shew yourselves 

[89] 



unto the people, that all may 

Feasting rejoice." 
and 

Laughter rr>i j-j t^i / 

1 hereupon did rlame, son oi 

Lokus, lead forth his troth- 
plight maiden Roseheart, to a 
great table that had been spread 
under the trees, with a silken 
cloth, and great dishes of silver 
and gold, whereon were roast 
flesh, and new bread, and green 
things steaming and savoury, 
and fruits of divers sorts, good 
to the taste and beautiful. And 
there were flagons of wine, 
crimson, and of the colour of 
corn, and of brown like the 
leaves of autumn. 

Then was there feasting and 
laughter, and Flame, son of 

^ [90] 



Lokus, told many tales of far 

countries— of strange customs, Flame 

and cunning: of husbandry and ^Jl^^!^^^^ 
, 1. f / J 1 Modestly 

handicrait; oi wars and the 

courts of Kings; of mightily 

mountains, of great seas and 

the storms thereof, wherein he 

himself had laboured mightily 

with the men of the ship that 

they should not perish all. 

And for that all he spake on 
these matters was shrewd and 
well taken, and modest withal. 
King Telwyn, listening, marked 
with gladness the manhood 
that had come to this youth of 
the isle of sea-surge and fire- 
bloom. And he was right well 
pleased, also, that the troth- 
plight of his daughter was re- 

[91] 



turned with cilear eyes and 
The noble bearing, and courtesy and 

^ueen readiness for all that made 
laketn i • i i • 

Note speech with him. 

And Queen Ellaline, in the wont 
of elder women, had eyes to the 
way of Flame with his wine, 
the which he took gladly, as 
becomes a man, but not over- 
much; and she was content. 
Roseheart, sitting beside her 
mother, the Queen, had thought 
for none but her troth-plight 
lord whom she loved; yet marked 
with pride his thought and 
courtesy for all that sat at meat 
with them. There was that in 
her which remembered with joy 
and tenderness how that he had 
thought aforetime only of them- 

[92] 



selves and their love; but now 

was she proud that her lord was Roseheart 

become a man among men, for ^ fj 

well she knew that with all 

he said and did in any wise, 

there ran always the music of 

his joy in her, and the love of 

his soul for hers. 



[93] 




XI. 



OW when they had 
HlhKJiM ^^^^^ ^^^ drunk their 
ShadovfsWlS^ fill, and had had much 
Grow talk withal, the shadows had 
^o^S grown long, and bird-song rip- 
pled the air in the wont of 
sundown. Wherefore King 
Telwyn bethought him how it 
would be pleasant that the four 
of them, the Queen, the Princess 
Roseheart, and her troth-plight 
lord. Flame, should walk in the 
forest for a space, ere yet they 
returned to the castle. 

[94] 



But Queen Ellaline said to him, 
"Nay, my lord, shall not thou ^ueen 
and I return to the castle alone? ^^^^^y^. 
Well I wot these twain have 
much to say, each to the other. 
Were it not well that they should 
walk apart in the forest in the 
cool of the evening, if that be 
their wish? " 

And King Telwyn smiled there- 
at, saying, "Well, welll Certain 
it is that I am but a stupid man, 
and thy woman's wit in the 
right of it/' And therewith 
he bade the young pair go 
apart as they wished for the 
space of an hour or two. 

But ere they went their ways. 
Flame raised to his lips the 

[95] 



hand of the Queen, and kissed 
Flame it, forasmuch as he was grate- 

Showeth {yj\ ^Q }^gj. exceedingly that she 
Kjratitude i j i j i i i 

nad had thought and remem- 
brance of the need of young 
lovers to be alone together. 

Whereafter, the King and the 
Queen having turned their 
steps to the castle. Flame and 
the Princess Roseheart wander- 
ed in sweet content in the path 
that led to the Pool, where afore- 
time they had found their love 
and their destiny. 

And when they were come 
thither, they found there, flut- 
tering like butterflies in a shaft 
of sunlight that came under the 
trees and among the stems 

[96] 



thereof, children that sported 
about the Pool. And these, Roseheart 
forsaking their play, clamoured ^^^iant 
about the Princess Roseheart, 
in sweet rivalry of her love and 
her touch. And forasmuch as 
his beloved stood now in the 
shaft of sunlight, radiant, starry- 
eyed, with little children about 
her knees. Flame, the Giver of 
Dreams, worshiped her in his 
soul, and stooped him to the 
earth that he might seize the 
clay thereof, and mixing it with 
water from the Pool, fashion 
the likeness of her. But though 
mightily he strove, the cunning 
of his hands was withholden 
from him, and he might not. 

Then the children, seeing it was 

[97] 



late, flitted away to their homes, 
The and the sunlight grew faint and 
Dwj^ fainter, until the dusk was come, 
all suddenly. And as the twain 
stood a little apart, each from 
the other, there passed between 
them, as she had been a night- 
moth, Wur, the Old Gray 
Woman of Shadows, whose 
eyes were as misty pools at twi- 
light, her hair like cobwebs 
matted, and her garments as 
the wings of the dusk. And 
momently there was upon them 
a chill as of the winter-death. 

Then did Flame know in his 
heart that he must tell his white- 
souled love, Roseheart, of the 
moon-woman in the desert. 
And his heart shook at thought 

[98] 



of her grief and trouble there- 
at. But being a true man, and Hand 
strong for the more part, he ^^^^ 
knew that it were an ill thing 
to set forward the time of say- 
ing that which must be said. 
Therefore he took his love by 
the hand, and led her to a 
mossy bank, whereupon they 
sat them down, hand in hand. 
After a little he said: ''There 
is a thing that I must tell thee, 
but because thou art a maid 
and innocent, I know not if 
thou wilt understand." 

And seeing his trouble she an- 
swered him gently: ''Meseems 
thou couldst not do anything 
I would not understand." 

[99] ' 



Drawing her close within the 
Flame shelter of his arms he said, 
Confesseth 'Thou believest that I love thee 
as my heart's blood?" 

**Verily," she made answer, 
"that must I needs believe, else 
could I not wed thee." Then 
because he was silent a space, 
as one thinking, she said, 
**What is it that thou wouldst 
say to me?" 

With quick words then he spake 
on this wise: ''Know then that 
there was a woman— a witch 
that made herself as a woman 
of moonlight, beautiful exceed- 
ingly, that I should follow hen 
And forasmuch as mine eyes 
and my blood are as the sea, I 

[100] 



might not refrain, for my weak- 
ness, but followed her as the Speech 
sea the moon. And we came ^-^^ 
into the desert, and there re- 
mained for a space." Then did 
the speech of Flame fail him, 
for that he knew not how to say 
that which must be said. 

And Roseheart looked upon 
him shrinkingly,and put away 
his arms, and rose, and stood 
away from him. And in her 
eyes that had held stars, there 
came a mist, as when the 
heavens grow dull with that 
which is not storm, but more 
like to sickness. **And thou— " 
she whispered, **didst thou give 
thyself to this woman?" 

[101] 



**Yca, but in the way of the 

Life flesh only," he answered, shame- 

Dis- fast. **I know not if a maid 
honoured j ^ j j, 

can understand. 

Then was Roseheart silent a 
space, whereafter she said slow- 
ly, **Meseems that therein lay 
the sin of what thou didst. 
Hadst thou given thyself body 
and soul, thy sin against me 
had been greater, but methinks 
then would it have been less 
against the Lord God, whose 
gi ft of life thou hast 
dishonoured." 

Then spake Flame eagerly, 
"But I told thee she was a witch- 
woman. Thou rememberest the 
Radiant One?" 

[102] 



'*Ayc." The Princess Rose- 
heart was grave and sorrowful. The 
**When that I turned me away ^^^^'^«^ 
from the moon -woman I saw 
the Radiant One, and she came 
and said naught, but shed her 
light upon the woman, and I 
saw that she was not beautiful, 
like the moon, but a hag, and 
leprous. Wherefore, looking 
about me I saw the bones of 
the dead. And I rose and fled 
away from that place.'' 

•Thou didst well." 

Then was Flame filled with ter- 
ror that though she spake in all 
gentleness, his love Roseheart 
was become as a stranger to 
him. Straightway he went to 

[103] 



her, saying, "Canst thou not 

Flame forgive?" 
Shamefast 

*'I know not," she made answer, 
with the weariness of one in 
mortal pain. 

Then he sought to put his 
arms about her, and draw her 
to him, but she looked at him 
as one in surprise, and there- 
with he feared to touch her. 
And he fell upon his knees, 
and buried his face, shamefast, 
in the hem of her garment, and 
wept that he had so wounded 
her whom his soul loved. With 
all gentleness she put him away 
from her, and went apart. And 
her eyes were dry, but her 
heart bled, so that she was as 
one sick unto death. 

[104] 



Her thoughts pricked her with 

torment, that her lord whom Thoughts 

she had worshipped kneeling, ^ 

I f lorTnent 

as IS the wont or women, was 

proven but a weak creature on 
whom she might not lean for 
strength, for that he had it not 
And it was bitter to her that he 
whom she had thought to be a 
man such as the Lord God had 
meant in the making of the 
world, had been but as a child, 
or blind, that he had been de- 
ceived by the moon-woman. 
Wherefore her heart, that had 
shrined a god, was now empty. 



[105] 



The 

Need of 

Flame 



XII . 

lOR some 
Flame lie 
ground as 
but presently his 
arose and stood 




while did 
upon the 
one dead, 
manhood 

before the 



Princess Roseheart, saying, 
"Then wilt thou send me from 
thee?" 



And looking upon his man- 
hood, that would face what 
must come to it, she saw there- 
with somewhat that wrung her 
heart, the look of a little child, 
with wistful eyes, and mouth 

[106] 



that quivered. And she saw that 
his need of her was greater than A iSew 
it had been aforetime, as of a ^^^^^^^^-^ 
child for his mother. Where- 
with into her heart that had 
been empty of all things when- 
as the god might dwell there 
no longer, there came a new 
sweetness it could scarce hold, 
so great was the flood thereof. 
And through her body and her 
soul the sweetness surged, so 
that there remained no bitter- 
ness at all, but a great gladness, 
as of the singing of many waters 
in spring. In her face was the 
look as of a young mother look- 
ing upon her first man-child 
that she hath borne in pain 
with thanksgiving. 

[107] 



Flame, looking upon the glory 
Roseheart that was her face, fell at her 
Forgiuth feet, crying, 'Thou wilt for- 
give?" 

And she lifted him up, and 
drew his head to her breast, 
saying the while little words of 
love and comforting. Where- 
after, he stood straight before 
her, and they looked each into 
the other's eyes as they had 
been spirits out of the flesh. 

And there came a shining 
round about them, that was 
brighter than the noonday sun, 
for that Senta, the Radiant One, 
was come and stood near them. 
And Flame saw that in the face 
of his love was somewhat that 

[108] 



had not been there before, for 

the beauty whereof his soul Somewhat 

sang. As one in a dream he ^/^^^ 
11. 1 1 Beauty 

Stooped nim to the earth once 

more to take of the clay there- 
of and fashion her his Mother 
of Men. 

But ere he might do the thing 
he would, Senta the Radiant 
One drew near, and spake unto 
them, and her voice was as the 
music of a mighty pine-wood 
raising to heaven a paean of 
triumph in a great wind of 
spring, with the voices of chil- 
dren therethrough, like little 
singing streams. And the 
words of Senta were these: "Joy 
to you that ye have learned 
somewhat whereof life and love 

[109] 



are madel Roseheart, beloved 
Thi of Flame, son of Lokus, now 
Meaning ^j.^ thou become in very truth 
a Mother of Men in thy 
woman's [soul, for that thou 
hast learned the meaning of 
love, which is to minister, to 
suffer, to understand, and to 
forgive. And thou too. Flame, 
hast learned of it, insomuch 
that love constrained thee in the 
pride of thy manhood to be- 
come as a little child that thou 
mightest be forgiven. But stay 
thy hand, even yet, until thou 
hast taken the maid to wife, and 
made her in good sooth a 
mother of men according to 
the flesh. Then only shalt thou 
be given fullness of vision, 
and shalt fashion her in pure 

[110] 



marble to be as a dream forever 

in the hearts of men." The Sign 

and 

With the passing of Senta, the 
Radiant One, was full evening 
come. And Flame, Fashioner 
and Giver of Dreams, led the 
Princess Roseheart, his love 
and troth-plight maiden, to the 
brink of the Pool, in wonder 
beyond speech, and a silence 
as of music. For the Pool held 
deep within deep; and far be- 
yond their two faces of love, 
they beheld as in the night blue 
of heaven, the stars that the 
Lord God had set therein to 
be a sign and symbol unto men 
of the things beyond the flesh. 



[Ill] 



^nb fjere enbs tW s^torp of 
"tEije ^tars in tije ^ool" 
Written bp €bna EinsSlep 
Wallace- ^et in tKppe bp 
tfje (J^bets printing; Com= 
panp, in tlje §ear of (!^ur 
Horb (2^ne tljouSanb nine 
fjunbreb anb ttoentp,anb^ub= 
IijSfieb bp C ^- 30utton anb 
Companp in tfje Citp of 
i^eto Borfe- 




018 378 365 8 '" ® 




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